Decatur Public Schools looking for ways to turn around ‘bleak’ decline in student population
A demographer reported to the District 61 school board Tuesday that it is facing one of the toughest environments for growth he has ever seen.
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Many challenges ahead as Illinois unifies early childhood programs, report finds
Come July, the new Illinois Department of Early Childhood will be fully responsible for the state programs that offer home visiting, early intervention, subsidized day care and preschool.
Illinois lawmakers’ 2026 theme: affordability
Democrats are seeking to capitalize on Trump-driven chaos during election year session
‘365 days of chaos’: Illinois Democrats reflect on 1st year of Trump’s 2nd term
One year into President Donald Trump’s second term in office, top Illinois Democrats said it’s been a year of broken promises, uncertainty and fear for the future.
Illinois among 12 states to sue as Trump seeks forced compliance with gender order
The administration now says states and other entities that don’t comply with that executive order will be ineligible for billions of dollars in federal grant funding allocated through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service
Here are the books Illinois students loved the most in 2025
Every year, Illinois students vote on the Readers’ Choice Awards for the books they loved the most. WNIJ education reporter Peter Medlin spoke with English teacher and award chair Nichole Folkman about the books that won in 2025.
Democratic candidate for Illinois Senate seat Kevin Ryan talks economy, military background, ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Gaza on 21st Show
Kevin Ryan is a former teacher and United States marine, who is vying for the U.S. Senate seat in Illinois. He shares his views on the affordability crisis Americans are facing, border control, and his experience serving in Afghanistan.
Labor, voting rights groups intervene in Illinois voter data lawsuit
Illinois is one of 23 states and Washington, D.C., that are being sued by the Trump administration for access to their unredacted voter rolls.
Trump freezes $10B in social service, child care funding for Illinois, 4 other blue states
Other states whose funds are being frozen include California, Colorado, Minnesota and New York.
Lawsuit puts Illinois on offensive against ‘menacing’ immigration raids
State claims federal agents used military-style tactics in attempt to coerce Illinois into changing its immigration policies
Illinois state parks hosting New Year’s Day hikes
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is hosting self-guided hikes at 17 state parks. These free, family-friendly hikes are available to the public.
New laws: Illinois education measures focus on immigrant rights, AI in the classroom
Measures that provide legal protections for students, guidelines for schools take effect Jan. 1
New laws: Illinois’ grocery tax to end, aquifer protections begin
Nearly 300 Illinois laws will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
Lawmakers, reform advocates call for more oversight of prison health care
On Dec. 10, the Sun-Times published a monthslong investigation examining Centurion Health, one of the nation’s largest correctional medicine companies, which was recently hired by Illinois officials despite having a record of providing inadequate health care.
Illinois leaders ‘won’t back down’ following Trump’s order limiting AI regulation
Trump’s order targets state regulations, including several in Illinois, that he said are inconsistent with national policy on AI. Critics said Illinois will not be swayed by the influence of “Big Tech.”